RAD 111 Chest Anatomy Video Notes - VOCABULARY Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key chest and respiratory anatomy from the lecture notes.

Respiratory system function

Exchange of gaseous substances between air and blood.

Pharynx

Musculomembranous tubular structure (~5 inches) that serves as a passage for air and food; subdivided into nasal, oral, and laryngeal portions.

Nasopharynx

Pharyngeal subdivision behind the nasal cavity (nasal portion of the pharynx).

Oropharynx

Extends from the soft palate to the level of the hyoid; base of the tongue forms its anterior wall.

Laryngopharynx

Laryngopharynx lies posterior to the larynx; extends inferiorly and continues with the esophagus.

Epiglottis

Flap that guards the larynx and prevents leakage into the airway during swallowing.

Hyoid bone

Bone from which the larynx is suspended.

Larynx

Movable airway structure (~1.5 inches) located below the root of the tongue; suspended from the hyoid bone; spans about C4–C6.

Thyroid cartilage

Laryngeal cartilage forming the laryngeal prominence.

Cricoid cartilage

Ring-shaped cartilage of the larynx located inferior to the thyroid cartilage.

True vocal cords

Vocal folds within the larynx responsible for sound production.

Trachea

Fibrous, muscular tube with 16–20 C-shaped cartilaginous rings; diameter ~½ inch; length ~4½ inches; lies anterior to the esophagus.

Carina

Bifurcation of the trachea into the right and left primary bronchi.

Right primary bronchus

Shorter, wider, and more vertical than the left; more likely for aspirated objects to lodge.

Left primary bronchus

Longer and narrower bronchus entering the left lung.

Primary bronchi

Main bronchi that enter the lungs and branch into secondary bronchi.

Secondary bronchi

Bronchi supplying the lobes of the lungs.

Tertiary bronchi

Bronchi supplying bronchopulmonary segments.

Bronchioles

Smaller airways after the bronchi; include terminal bronchioles.

Terminal bronchioles

Last conducting-airway segment before the alveolar ducts.

Alveoli

Air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged by diffusion; numerous in each lung.

Alveolar ducts

Ducts that lead to alveolar sacs.

Alveolar sacs

Clusters of alveoli at the ends of the alveolar ducts.

Lungs

Organs of respiration; right lung has three lobes; left has two; apex, base; hilum; costophrenic angles.

Right lung lobes

Superior, middle, and inferior lobes.

Left lung lobes

Superior and inferior lobes.

Pleura

Double-walled serous membrane enclosing each lung; visceral pleura covers the lung; parietal pleura lines the chest wall.

Visceral pleura

Inner pleural layer that envelops each lung.

Parietal pleura

Outer pleural layer lining the thoracic cavity.

Pleural cavity

Space between the visceral and parietal pleura.

Lung hilum

Medial border where bronchi, vessels, and nerves enter/exit the lung.

Mediastinum

Space between the pleural cavities containing the heart, thymus, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, and other structures.

Thymus gland

Gland located in the mediastinum; prominent in youth.

Heart

Muscular organ located within the mediastinum; central to the cardiovascular system.

Great vessels

Major thoracic vessels (ascending aorta, arch of aorta, superior and inferior vena cava).

Esophagus

Muscular tube posterior to the trachea; continues from the laryngopharynx to the stomach.

Pericardial cavity

Space surrounding the heart within the mediastinal area (pericardial sac/le?) that houses the heart.

Thoracic cavity

Contains lungs and heart; bounded by the walls of the thorax; extends from the superior to the inferior thoracic aperture; diaphragm separates it from the abdomen.

Bony thorax

Protective framework: sternum (manubrium, body, xiphoid), clavicles, scapulae, 12 pairs of ribs, and 12 thoracic vertebrae.

Apex (lung)

Superior portion of the lung that reaches above the clavicles.

Base (lung)

Inferior portion of the lung resting on the diaphragm.

Costophrenic angles

Angles formed where the diaphragms meet the ribs at the lung bases.